Ask HN: Theory to explain celeb salaries?

[sogen]

They don't cure cancer, or give to the world a scientific breakthrough... Just wondering if there's an explanation for why are millions poured into celeb salaries (news time, gossip time, MLB/FIFA/OIC stadiums, music concerts, etc)

[gus_massa]

If everyone that is watching a soccer match pays an additional $1 to see Lionel Messi playing instead of me, he deserves a few millions dollars a year.

Two more well written explanations:

Mind The Gap: http://paulgraham.com/gap.html

Hitting the High Notes: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/HighNotes.html

[sogen → gus_massa]

Yes, but why do people use their money on panem et circenses (bread and circuses) and stay ignorant?

[sogen]

Maybe by Social choice theory? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_choice_theory